Having a defensive midfielder stationed accordingly would, in all likelihood, have nullified the threat for Newcastle's goals on Sunday.. Liverpool have not had an out-and-out number six since Fabinho, who left in 2023, and as it stands Iraola's preference is a two-man pivot in midfield with Florian Wirtz playing as a number 10. Both of those two midfielders, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, were in the Newcastle box when Liverpool lost possession before Anthony Elanga's opener.